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Wayne Rooney has yet to score a Premier League goal this season (Picture: Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney made history as the England captain broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s 45-year-old record for highest number of goals scored for England.

His penalty against Switzerland at Wembley took him to the 50 mark, a fine achievement for the Manchester United striker.

The record is a true testament to Rooney’s worth in an England shirt over the course of his 12 year international career, yet those at Old Trafford will now be desperate for Rooney to find his form domestically with Louis van Gaal’s side facing their annual biggest match of the season.

The visit of Liverpool is, without question, the biggest date on the calendar of Manchester United supporters. Arguably the two biggest clubs in English football’s illustrious history have an unprecedented distaste for each other as both vie for the position of the biggest club in the country.

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In recent years United have pulled away as financial difficulties and somewhat surprising managerial appointments have not helped Liverpool’s cause. The Merseyside giants could only look on as Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United overtook them in English titles won. The tally currently stands at 20-18 in United’s favour, yet all that goes out of the window come Saturday.

Neither team are in particularly impressive form up to this point with results very much the priority for the two sides ahead of the style of football. Liverpool are still adjusting to a raft of new arrivals whilst Louis van Gaal’s somewhat cautious approach has seen the team lose their attacking identity with the switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The departures of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez have left United indubitably short in attack with Rooney the only recognised senior centre-forward at the club. Liverpool too have forward concerns of their own with Daniel Sturridge suffering a set-back in his recovery from hip surgery.

In days gone by clashes between United and Liverpool have played host to some of the Premier League’s finest centre-forwards yet this weekend it could well be the weakest area on the pitch for both teams.

It is nigh on impossible for anybody to doubt neither the talent nor the success of Wayne Rooney yet the 29-year-old’s domestic form is a real source of concern around Old Trafford. Louis van Gaal’s concerted efforts to try and pair Rooney with Harry Kane this summer were not without good reason, the pressure on United’s captain to deliver in a position that is no longer natural to him is huge.

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During his time in charge Sir Alex Ferguson was vocal in his belief that it takes Rooney longer than most players to find both his form and fitness following a long lay-off or summer break and United supporters will be hoping this is merely an example of this, however, with United having netted just two Premier League goals in addition to one own-goal in four Premier League matches this term, the concern is growing.

Anthony Martial’s arrival could signal a system change which may bring out the very best of Rooney once more. The Frenchman’s desire to play as a number nine could facilitate Rooney dropping into his preferred number 10 role, an area in which the England captain truly excels.

Liverpool’s defence is not yet at their best as was proven in the defeat to West Ham and if United can find their fluidity in attack once more with Wayne Rooney the pivotal point of the team, then Saturday evening could be the welcome return to winning ways for Van Gaal’s side.